DHAKA, Feb 6, 2025 (BSS) – The government has announced the names of 14 eminent citizens and Bangladesh Women's National Football Team for awarding the prestigious Ekushey Padak-2025, the country's second highest civilian award, for their contribution to various fields.

Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki disclosed the names of the recipients at a press conference at the Bangladesh Secretariat here today.

This year five persons have been selected in the category of Shilpakala (film, music, photography and painting), one in journalism, one in journalism and human rights, one in culture and education, one in education, one in science and technology, one in social service, two in language and literature and one in research while the women's football team selected in the category of sports.

Azizur Rahman (posthumously) will receive the award in the category of Shilpakala (film) while Ustad Nirad Baran Barua (posthumously) and Ferdous Ara have been named for the award in the category of Shilpakala (music), Nasir Ali Mamun in Shilpakala (photography) and Rokeya Sultana in Shilpakala (painting).

Mahfuz Ullah (posthumously) has been named for the award in the category of journalism while Mahmudur Rahman will receive the award for journalism and human rights.

Dr Shahidul Alam has been named for the award in the category of culture and education while Dr Niaz Zaman will receive the award in education. 

Mehedi Hasan Khan will receive the award for science and technology while Mohammad Yusuf Chowdhury (posthumously) has been named for social service.

Helal Hafiz (posthumously) and Shahidul Jahir (Md Shahidul Haque) (posthumously) have been named for the award for their contribution to language and literature. 

Besides, Moidul Hasan will receive the Ekushey Padak for research while Bangladesh Women's National Football Team is going to get the prestigious award in the category of sports.